Lucas Pulls His Hand Back With An Eyebrow Still Raised.

Lucas bites back a laugh. He knows Marama wouldn't know what Target is, but it's still funny to hear it.

"Good to know. I'll tell them to meet you at the cemetery. Let's hope we get really lucky. Can I trust you to make sure none of my guys swipe anything for themselves?"

"i don't think it works like that," she says but honestly, she couldn't be sure. maybe ignoring pain is his way of healing. people were strange. "thanks, i appreciate that," she says with a nod. "that would be helpful. i think some of the cars has stuff we could really use around here. someone must have just come from the store. no food but there's bags with those red circles on them. looks like maybe clothes or towels. maybe there's something else in there but i didn't have time to check it out before coming back yesterday."

where: outside, wherever when: day after the storm open starter

Lucas walks down the street, taking note of all the damage from the storm. So much to fix. It's starting to feel like it would be better just to rebuild the whole town from scratch.

He turns a corner and has to put his list away.

"Hey!" he calls out to the person. "You need help over there?"

Lucas notices the trembling and how calm Rae is trying to make his voice. It must be really bad.

"You want help? I can help move this body and then walk you home."

He steps to Rae's side so he can look at his face. A mask of calm that makes Lucas even more concerned. How bad was it?

rae shook his head, unable to speak at first until he felt luc’s hand on his back. the touch made him release a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding and, as much as he hated to admit it, brought him comfort. why did he need comfort? he was fine, had seen bodies in the same state as hers countless times. this wasn’t any different.

“no, no, i’m due for a break. this one i just have to uh…put back with the rest.” one after the other, they all looked the same, faces he didn’t recognize…except for kina’s. why did they seem to always leave the face?

“i’m fine,” he insisted, despite the obvious tremble in his hands. “just tired.”

Lucas sighs.

"Yeah, I know. I just wish your team was part of the whole team too."

He offers a handshake as a formal apology.

"Sorry for wasting your time," he says. "If you hear anything about the missing stock, could you at least let me know who it was after you take it from them?"

CHERRY SIGHS JUST A LITTLE BIT . she gives lucas a look that's only half exasperated . " yeah, well ." the roll of cherry's eyes is halfhearted . " just cause i'm a trouble maker doesn't mean it's always me ." it just probably is, but somehow cherry doubts that now is the time to mention that . " and — i'm on a team ." the protest is accompanied by a lackluster shrug . " s'just ... mine ."

Adrien winces when he actually looks at their leg. It's in bad shape, for sure.

Adrien pulls a chair closer to the bad and goes back to smiling.

"Glad I can help. So, most of my practical experience is on farm vehicles. Tractors and that stuff. I do know about regular cars. And I'm pretty good with little tech, too."

He blushes in embarrassment.

"I'm one of those weird guys that literally takes shit apart to figure out how they work. My aunt got mad when I did it to her favorite radio a month after I moved in."

He looks at El's hands they look about as calloused as his if not more.

"I uh, we were on a hiking trip, and I fell behind. That's how I ended up here."

He shrugs. Sure, he's freaked out and kinda missing his family, but it's not a huge deal right now.

El propped themselves up on the bed, wincing slightly at the pain radiating from their injured leg, but their curiosity was piqued by the newcomer’s arrival. They didn’t recognize Adrien, but the fresh energy was a welcome distraction from the haze of their recent attack.

“Hey there,” El said, their voice carrying a hint of enthusiasm despite the setting. “I’m El, and I’m your mentor for the Chop Shop. Heard you’ve got some mechanical skills from a little birdy? That’s great! Honestly, I could use the help right now.”

They couldn’t help but feel a spark of excitement at the prospect of teaching someone new, even if they were still recovering. El gestured for Adrien to take a seat, trying to mask their own discomfort. “So, what’s your background? How’d you end up here?” There was an eagerness in El’s tone, a genuine desire to connect and guide Adrien through the chaos that was their new reality.

They flashed a reassuring smile, hoping to instill a sense of camaraderie amid the uncertainty of their situation.

Adrien kept working while El was quiet, thinking that the subject was basically done. Then he looks up at them to listen intently, noting how sure they seem in their words.

"Really? You wouldn't mind a roommate?"

He'd never had a roommate that wasn't family before. That's why he'd chosen the Colony House when he first arrived. Wanting a chance to meet new people.

But he's met new people now. Maybe, he's not cut out for a big house like that?

Ellington leans against the workbench, their hands loosely resting in their pockets as they watch Adrien work. They listen quietly, noting the way his words trail off and the subtle tension in his voice. Colony House clearly isn’t sitting right with him.

“I get that,” El says, their voice low but kind. “It’s not for everyone. Too many people in one place can mess with your head after a while.”

They glance toward the door for a moment, as if weighing their next words, then look back at Adrien. “I’ve got a place on the far side of town. Whole house to myself. Quiet, no one to bother you unless you want them to.” A small smile plays on their lips. “It’s nothing fancy, but it’s solid. And it’s got space.”

They lean a little closer, their tone soft but sincere. “If you’re feeling like Colony House isn’t cutting it, you’re welcome to crash with me. No pressure—just figured I’d throw it out there. It might be nice having someone around who’s not... you know, always in each other’s business.”

Lucas watches her intently, listening to her musings. Thoughts he's learning a lot of new people normally share.

He considers his next words, wondering what might offer some temporary solace.

"I know it sounds crazy, but being in this town, I've never felt more free in my life. I don't need to pretend I'm not gay to people who know but are uncomfortable by it. I don't need to worry that people i care about might suddenly disappear. All of our odds are 50/50, and if it happens, then I'll be sad. But right now, there's no reason to be."

He watches her face as he talks, seeing if what he's saying is helping or hurting.

'Catie,' she says, brushing hair out of her face as she sizes him up. 'I’ve been here two days. Everyone’s telling me to relax or stay inside like that’s going to help anything. And now we’re just throwing a party?” She scoffs, looking away for a moment, then back at Adrien, her voice dipping into more bewilderment. 'It’s like everyone’s just…Fucking hell. This is where we’re all supposed to be now.'

She leans back, feeling the wall’s cold surface steady her, her shoulders slumping as she keeps her eyes on him. 'But you—' she pauses, trying to figure him out. 'Feels like you’ve already adjusted more in a few days than I could in a lifetime. You’re really just…okay with this?'

TANNER BUCHANAN in COBRA KAI

Lucas actually looks up to who he's talking to. He vaguely recognizes the face as someone semi-new. Seeing a child helps. Larry? Lauren?

Lucas stands. "Sorry. We just encourage people not to get too close to the woods. Sheriff Lucas Miranda."

He steps forward, offering his hand.

He glances over and smiles toward the kid playing.

Reaching out toward a plant, Lainn delicately brushed the tips of his fingers on his outstretched left hand against the stem, before moving it to glide along the leaves. Frowning a bit, he remembered what his classes told him about the type of tree in front of him. Before he plucks a leaf right off and moves to stand in on the quick succession of moves.

Glancing over, he could see his son, playing and brought the leaf up to his nose, sniffing it before absently twisting it between his fingers and turning to move away a bit, spotting someone a moment or so later. He quirked an eyebrow at the other's assumption that he was looking to hunt, taking note of it, he gave a nod of his head.

Lainn turned his head, keeping Tali in his view, who remained close to him still before saying, “Well, I don't really hunt.” Holding his hands out, he gives a lazy shrug at this, before continuing to toy with the leaf in his hands and going on, “Do you?” Lainn inquired before turning his head back away from the stranger, listening to Tali come closer as he explained the type of plant he was now holding. Lainn gave a nod of his head, commenting gently toward his son, “That's correct. It's a pretty cool find, Tali.”

As Tali grinned at Lainn's words, before he moved a little ways away once more, to look at more of the plants in the immediate area. Lainn looked toward the stranger again, then around the wooded area before them, “It's pretty, this place. This type of biome is great for all kinds of discovery. There's probably loads of strange bugs here.” Lainn commented offhandedly. He had always found swampland and the like to be almost mystical.

CARLOS REYES 9-1-1: LONE STAR (1.02)